Alder Valley Brass : about us

About the Alder Valley Brass

Alder Valley Brass is one of the South East's finest brass bands, and provides music to enhance any occasion. AVB is the 2023 2nd section London & South Counties champions.

For more than 60 years Alder Valley Brass has performed at venues ranging from London's Royal Albert Hall, Windsor Castle, Epsom race course and Hampton Court Palace, to many of the UK's famous parks & bandstands. The band has also undertaken many foreign tours including Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands and Belgium.

Alder Valley Brass has extensive experience of TV, radio and theatre including the "Aldershot Brass Ensemble" sketch with the Two Ronnies and the BBC sitcom "Oh Happy Band," and was featured in 14 consecutive performances of the hit play "Brassed Off" at theatres in Woking and Richmond. More recently, Alder Valley Brass were approached to provide a brass ensemble for the film ‘The Dig’ starring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes, which topped the viewing charts when it was released on Netflix.

Much of the band's concert work is in support of local charities and there have been proud moments working with Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion, charities selected by the Mayor of Rushmoor at concerts, as well as The SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity) and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

In addition to concert and bandstand work, Alder Valley Brass is a contesting band and, over the years, has been remarkably successful, appearing at the national finals of Great Britain on multiple occasions including appearances at The Royal Albert Hall competing against the very best in Great Britain.

The standard line up for concerts and bandstand work is 25 brass players plus percussionists but this can be tailored to suit. For instance, a fanfare team would be 3 trumpets and 3 trombones plus percussion. If you need a small group to play background music at a formal dinner, that could be either a brass quintet (2 cornets, horn, trombone & tuba) or a small band (4 cornets, horn, baritone, 2 trombones, euphonium, tuba and percussion). Whatever the occasion, Alder Valley Brass offers both appropriate music and the right instrumentation to suit. Please get in touch to discuss any specific requirements that you have. Alder Valley Brass is sure to be able to help and the fees are very reasonable.

Our Musical Director

Musical Director - David Hatton MMus FRSM ATCL

Warrant Officer Class 1 (Bandmaster) David Hatton is a conductor, band trainer and cornet player who has built up brass and wind band experience over the past 32 years. David began his military service in 1999, attending the Royal Military School of Music (RMSM), Kneller Hall, continuing on to a career within The Royal Corps of Army Music (RCAM) spanning 24 years. David has performed extensively across Europe, Scandinavia and worldwide including the Falkland Islands, Canada, Brunei, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

In 2013, he was selected to attend the prestigious Music Direction Course at RMSM. Upon completion he gained a Licentiate of the Royal School of Music in Music Direction and was assigned as Bandmaster of the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals in 2014, and went onto complete a Master’s Degree in Symphonic Wind / Brass Band Direction with the London College of Music. In 2017, David was assigned as Bandmaster of the Band of the Welsh Guards, performing on State Ceremonial and Public Duties including Changing of the Guard, Windsor Support Guard, Trooping the Colour and State Opening of Parliament. In 2020 he successfully completed a Fellowship of the Royal School of Music in Military Band Direction.

After a brief tour as Training Design Warrant Officer at RMSM, David was appointed Officer Commanding and Bandmaster, Band of the Prince of Wales, and more recently in 2022, was appointed Corps Bandmaster, working in assurance of Army bands, RCAM policy and assists in the training of Student Bandmasters. In late 2022, David was successful in his application to commission as a Late Entry Army Officer and will subsequently take up appointment as Corps Sergeant Major in 2023.

David has spent his career playing in and conducting various brass bands around the country. His general interests are CrossFit, cycling and of course, brass band! He is married to Tanya, an 8-year-old son, Maxim, and a crazy Cocker Spaniel called Alfie.

AVB Recordings

Excerpts to give you a flavour of what we can play

Dam Busters March by Eric Coates.
Theme music to the 1956 ﬁlm starring Michael Redgrave and Richard Todd.

Spiritual Sounds (1st movement) by Alan Fernie, based around the negro spiritual The Battle of Jericho.

Breezin' Down Broadway by Goff Richards. A selection of music from Broadway hits including There's No Business Like Show Business, I'm Getting Married In The Morning and Seventy Six Trombones. Both were recorded at a live outdoor concert at Hinton Ampner.

Midway March by John Williams from the 1976 ﬁlm Midway starring Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda nd a host of other star names. And Music To Drive By written by Alan Moorhouse and made famous by Joe Loss and his Orchestra.

El Cumbanchero by Rafael Hernandez, one of Puerto Rica's most important 20th century composers. Arranged for brass band by Masato Myokoin. This was recorded 'live' and outdoors at Hinton Ampner.